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The role of Helicobater pylori (H. pylori) remains unclear in children with non ulcer dyspepsia (NUD). The purpose of this study was to characterize the symptoms in non-ulcer dyspeptic H. pylori-infected children in order to make decision for endoscopy. Patients & methods: A prospective, bi-centric, double blind study was carded out between March 2001 and April 2002, in children ≥ 6 yr-old with NUD addressed for upper GI endoscopy for epigastric pain. A standardized questionnaire was administered blindly by a pediatric gastroenterologist to all subjects, describing the characteristics of epigastric pain: nature, intensity (EVA score), frequency, diurnal or nocturnal awakening, epigastric tenderness, meals relationship, relief of pain by food, post-prandial fullness, discomfort, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, halitosis, weight lost, haematemesis, drugs taken, school absence, and positive family history of peptic ulcer disease. Ethnic background, mothers' education and fathers' socio-economic levels were also noted. The infection was proved with positive culture and histological examination of gastric mucosa. Results: 94 children were enrolled, 22 infected (11.4 ± 2.6 yr-old, 11 females), and 72 non infected (10.4 ± 3.1 yr-old, 43 females), ns. There was no difference in regards to symtom characteristics comparing infected to non infected children except for torsion-like epigastric pain that was more frequently found in infected ones [6 (27.2%) vs 6 (8.3%), p = 0.01]. Non infected children exhibited more frequently epigastric pain during meals and early satiety [17 (23.6%) vs 1 (4.5%), p = 0.04]. As already known, H. pylori infection was more frequent in non Caucasian children [12 (54.5%) vs 9 (12.5%), p = 0.0003] and Iow education and socio-economic levels outcome [22 (100%) and 15 (68%) vs 60 (83.3%) and 32 (44.4%), respectively p ≤ 0.05]. Conclusion: This study did not revealed specific characteristics of symptoms in... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]